𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙
Annotations and author notes to 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩.
Can be read alongside the novel as a companion work, but not recommended for those who simply want to read in peace. For complet...
Quote This is from Bill Shankly, Scottish football player and manager who managed Liverpool F.C. from 1959 to 1974, and was known for his wit. I could not resist a quote which combined life, death, and football for this chapter.
Mary as a Healer The medicine bottle that Mary gives Julian has a stopper to squeeze the medicine under his tongue, as is often done with herbal and homeopathic mixtures.
The Flowers for Mary Pink roses symbolise gratitude and admiration, while yellow lilies symbolise thankfulness, joy, and friendship. So the arrangement from Julian to Mary says: "I am so happy and grateful for everything you did for me, and I admire you as a friend." I think Colin picked well! This is the first of many references to roses in this story, although you can see some in the illustration for Chapter 3.
Monty Python Sketch Colin's efforts to persuade Julian to go to the football field end up seeming an awful lot like the Monty Python sketch "Candid Photography", often known as "Nudge Nudge". I pictured Colin as looking rather like a young Eric Idle, who was pretty darn cute, in my opinion.
The Wayfarer's Bus Station Julian walks back past the bus station on his way to the football field, and naturally is curious, since this is where people leave from if they are sent Sideways – which is what Julian is supposed to be hoping for as his best possible option.
The bus station, pretty and neat, unlike ones on Earth, is painted white and green – both colours associated with renewal and new beginnings. Heading Sideways means a fresh start for these souls, and a chance to wipe clean old debts.
There are pots of red geraniums (actually pelargoniums) at the bus station. These humble, cheerful flowers will grow in even poor soil and need minimal care. This possibly suggests that those on the path Sideways should leave the Waystation with few expectations, and be prepared to face anything with a stout heart.
Red geraniums symbolise friends, positivity, and protection, meaning that there will be people available to offer support and comradeship, and nothing will be allowed to harm them there. Sideways is not a punishment, it is a place to learn and grow with the assistance of others.
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Wayfarer's Road and Meadow Lane With my uncanny ability to imagine things that already exist, I later discovered there is a Wayfarer's Walk that runs from Hampshire to Berkshire, and a Meadow Lane in Nottingham. To my disbelief, Meadow Lane actually leads directly to the football stadium!
Team Colours I thought of several different monochromatic combinations for the football uniforms – black and white, grey and silver, silver and white. But then I had a look at William Blake's illustrations for Dante's Purgatorio, and noticed he used a lot of pink and blue. In particular, Canto V, showing the souls who only repented on their deathbeds [pictured], and Canto XXIX, showing the river in Purgatory.
